Drew Vettleson
| AB | 1907 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .248 |
| OBP | .305 |
| SLG | .387 |
| HR | 44 |
- Full name Drew Gordon Vettleson
- Born 07/19/1991 in Bremerton, WA
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School Central Kitsap
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Drafted in the C-A round (42nd overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010 (signed for $845,000).
View Draft Report
Vettleson has generated more publicity for being a rare switch-pitcher, but he's a pro prospect as an outfielder. He sits at 88-90 mph from the right side with a good curveball, but he's a better hitter--which says a lot. Vettleson has a quiet approach in the box and he's patient with good pitch recognition. His hand positioning is unique, as he starts with his hands letter-high and deep behind his rear leg. It's a simple swing and he's short to the ball, but it also causes stiffness in his lead arm, which could cause problems when he faces better velocity. It worked for him on the showcase circuit, as he was on fire against some of the country's best pitchers all summer. His swing is smooth and scouts believe he'll make adjustments to hit for average and power. He profiles as a corner outfielder with below-average speed, but has great instincts and makeup. Vettleson hasn't played against great high school competition and has been hard to see, as he's typically pitching, playing shortstop or playing center field lefthanded. Where he ends up going in the draft will likely hinge on how he does in predraft workouts.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Vettleson has flashed the raw ability that made him a supplemental first-round pick out of high school, where he earned publicity for being a switch-pitcher, but the Rays traded him to the Nationals along with Jose Lobaton and Felipe Rivero for Nate Karns in February 2014. After hitting home runs in both ends of an April 12 doubleheader, Vettleson was hit on the back of his left hand by a pitch, breaking a bone and sidelining him for two months. He still intrigued the Nationals for his natural feel for hitting. He can drive the ball to all fields, but he must become a more selective hitter. His body is maturing, and he could hit for average or slightly better power. He also has a well above-average arm with good accuracy and carry, giving him a chance to be a true right fielder. He has decent range but still is developing as an outfielder, where he makes his share of mistakes. Vettleson should return to Double-A Harrisburg in 2015. -
Vettleson has lived up to his billing as a hitter since being selected with the 42nd overall pick in the 2010 draft. He established the low Class A Bowling Green franchise mark for hits (139) in 2012 and tied for fifth in hits (128) in the high Class A Florida State League in 2013. Noted as a switch-pitcher during his high school days in the Pacific Northwest, Vettleson gave that up and has used his short, quick swing that produces plus bat speed from the left side to find holes in the defense. After hitting 15 home runs in the South Atlantic League in 2012, he had just four in the pitcher-friendly FSL but should be able to post at least average power numbers as he gains experience. He needs to do a better job of being patient and swinging at pitches he can drive, rather than expanding the strike zone. Defensively, Vettleson has above-average arm strength with excellent accuracy and carry in right field, allowing him to register 13 assists in 2013. However, he also committed 14 errors due to poor footwork and a lack of focus. Much like Richie Shaffer, Vettleson has the potential to be a regular, but the Rays want to see his power output increase in 2014 at Double-A Montgomery. -
Vettleson first captured attention as a switch-pitcher when he was in high school, but he went 42nd overall in the 2010 draft because of his hitting ability. Vettleson set a Bowling Green franchise record with 139 hits and ranked second in the low Class A Midwest League with 218 total bases. Vettleson has all the tools to be a solid right fielder. He has a short swing and is capable of driving the ball to all fields. He does a good job of getting around on premium fastballs and makes consistent contact, even when he's behind in the count. He should have solid power once his body fills out. He sells out for home runs at times, adding length to his swing. Vettleson has average speed and good instincts on the basepaths and in the outfield. He's working on refining his basestealing jumps and defensive routes. Managers rated his arm as the best among Midwest League outfielders, and he finished second in the league with 20 assists. If Vettleson makes the necessary adjustments, he could have solid tools across the board. He's expected to spend the majority of 2013 in high Class A. -
The Rays sent their top three 2010 draft picks to Princeton last summer, and supplemental first-round pick Vettleson outperformed first-rounders Josh Sale and Justin O'Conner. Vettleson batted .343/.406/.571 through July before running out of gas in the final month. Signed for $845,000, he drew attention as a switch-pitcher in high school, but his pure hitting ability meant his future would be as an everyday player. For a young player, Vettleson has an impressive, disciplined approach at the plate. He displays outstanding hand-eye coordination and barrels the ball easily with solid bat control. He does a good job of going with pitches and using the entire field. Though somewhat lean, he should develop average or better power as his body continues to mature. Vettleson's speed rates a tick above-average but plays up thanks to his excellent baserunning instincts. He also runs well in the outfield and has solid arm strength that should allow him to stay in right field at higher levels. He'll need to get stronger to deal with the grind of a full pro season. Tampa Bay has plenty of outfield options, meaning there's no need to rush Vettleson. He's at least three years from reaching the majors but should be worth the wait. His methodical ascension will continue in 2012 with a promotion to low Class A Bowling Green. -
Vettleson attracted attention for his switch-pitching ability in high school, and while some scouts liked him on the mound, he drew more notice as one of the purest prep hitters in the 2010 draft. He worked out occasionally with fellow Washington outfielder and Rays draft pick Josh Sale. A supplemental first-round pick, Vettleson signed at the deadline for $845,000. A shortstop/center fielder/pitcher in high school, Vettleson profiles as a corner outfielder with the ability to hit for power and average. He has a quiet approach from the left side of the plate, with good patience and pitch recognition. He's short to the ball and drives pitches from gap to gap, though at times his swing features a stiff lead arm, which could create issues against good fastballs. His speed is a tick below-average, but he has great instincts on the bases and in the field. He has enough arm strength to play in right field. Vettleson didn't face top competition in high school--though he performed well on the summer showcase circuit--and signed too late to make his pro debut. Because his only pro experience has come in instructional league, he'll probably start 2011 in extended spring training before reporting to Princeton in mid-June.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Bowling Green had the second-youngest and most prospect-laden lineup in the league, with Vettleson standing out the most among the Hot Rods. He's still refining his game, but all the tools are there for him to become an everyday right fielder in the majors. Vettleson has a good setup at the plate, with a short stroke and an all-fields approach. He shows an aptitude for handling good fastballs and for hitting behind in the count. He projects to have solid power, but he can get a little home run conscious and lengthen his swing at times Vettleson enhances his average speed with good instincts on the bases, though he needs to improve his basestealing jumps. He also can do a better job with the routes he takes in right field. His strong arm fits well at the position. -
The Rays' top three picks from the 2010 draft all suited up for Princeton this season, but only Vettleson hit enough to capture the attention of opposing managers. Josh Sale and Justin O'Conner, first-rounders drafted ahead of Vettleson, batted just .210 and .157. Vettleson hit just .191 in August as he ran out of bat speed, according to Johns, who was quick to laud the youngster's hand-eye coordination and bat control. He has a quiet, disciplined approach and willingness to use all fields, and he should have solid-average to plus power once he adds strength to his lean frame. A fringe-average runner, Vettleson has keen baserunning instincts that allowed him to go 20-for-26 stealing bases. He's perfectly suited for right field with a solid-average arm and average range.
Best Tools List
- Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Tampa Bay Rays in 2013
- Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Midwest League in 2012
- Rated Best Hitter for Average in the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012
- Rated Best Hitter for Average in the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011
Scouting Reports
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Background: Vettleson first captured attention as a switch-pitcher when he was in high school, but he went 42nd overall in the 2010 draft because of his hitting ability. The best prospect on a loaded Bowling Green roster in 2012, he set a franchise record with 139 hits and ranked second in the low Class A Midwest League with 218 total bases. Scouting Report: Though he's still rough around the edges, Vettleson has all the tools to be a solid right fielder. He has a short swing and is capable of driving the ball to all fields. He does a good job of getting around on premium fastballs and makes consistent contact, even when he's behind in the count. He should have solid power once his body fills out. He sells out for home runs at times, adding length to his swing. Vettleson has average speed and good instincts on the basepaths and in the outfield. He's working on refining his basestealing jumps and defensive routes. Managers rated his arm as the best among Midwest League outfielders, and he finished second in the league with 20 assists. The Future: If Vettleson makes the necessary adjustments, he could have solid tools across the board. He's expected to spend the majority of 2013 in high Class A, and he's probably three years away from reaching Tampa Bay. -
Background: The Rays sent their top three 2010 draft picks to Princeton last summer, and supplemental first-round pick Vettleson outperformed first-rounders Josh Sale and Justin O'Conner. Vettleson batted .343/.406/.571 through July before running out of gas in the final month. Signed for $845,000, he drew attention as a switch-pitcher in high school, but his pure hitting ability meant his future would be as an everyday player.
Scouting Report: For a young player, Vettleson has an impressive, disciplined approach at the plate. He displays outstanding hand-eye coordination and barrels the ball easily with solid bat control. He does a good job of going with pitches and using the entire field. Though somewhat lean, he should develop average or better power as his body continues to mature. Vettleson's speed rates a tick above-average but plays up thanks to his excellent baserunning instincts. He also runs well in the outfield and has solid arm strength that should allow him to stay in right field at higher levels. He'll need to get stronger to deal with the grind of a full pro season.
The Future: Tampa has plenty of outfield options, so there's no need to rush Vettleson. He's at least three years from reaching the majors but should be worth the wait. His methodical ascension will continue in 2012 with a promotion to low Class A Bowling Green.
